“I was very frustrated and disappointed,” he said. “For 80 per cent of the game we were much the better team. We scored some great tries and generally 34 points will win you a game but unfortunately to concede three tries in the last eight minutes, we literally gave the game away at the end.

“Hopefully York will be a bit jaded after their game against Crusaders, which may work in our favour.

“York have lost their dual-reg players but they’ve been grinding out wins. They’re second for a reason; because they’re a good team, they’re well-organised with a lot of young, enthusiastic players.

“They blew us away the last time we played them at home so we need to get in that arm wrestle and compete a lot better.

They blew us away the last time we played them at home so we need to get in that arm wrestle and compete a lot better.

Hemel Stags coach Troy Perkins

“If we can put together an 80-minute performance, I think we’ll be competitive and give ourselves a chance.”